Friday Jolt: SDOT's Interim Director Out of the Running

The Seattle Department of Transportation's interim director takes himself out of the running for the permanent position.

No winners or losers, just a Jolt: Responding, most likely, to a lack of support from inside the Seattle Department of Transportattion—where he has served as interim director since now-Mayor Ed Murray fired former mayor Mike McGinn's SDOT director, Peter Hahn, shortly after he was elected last year—Goran Sparrman, Hahn's former deputy, told council members and colleagues today that he no longer plans to pursue the job.

As we reported back in March, Sparrman was appointed by Murray to fill Hahn's shoes but was among several candidates for the permanent gig; Murray is doing a national search for a new SDOT director.

Earlier this week, council transportation committee chair Tom Rasmussen confirmed to PubliCola that the search was down to about two candidates, but could not say when the city would make a final decision.

In an email, Sparrman said:

I want to share with you that I have withdrawn my name from consideration in the search for a permanent SDOT director. This was a difficult decision for me, especially given my appreciation for SDOT’s great team and its hard work on behalf of the city.

Please be assured that I will continue to serve as a deputy director while I evaluate my future options. While I do not know the timeframe for the selection of a permanent director, I am hopeful that a decision will be made quickly. For the time being, I will continue to serve as interim director of the department.

I am very proud of what we have accomplished together and will continue advocating for SDOT as we work to deliver a first-rate transportation system for Seattle.

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